The House has released its health care bill. I'm going on a conference call now, so I can't really discuss the bill, but you can read it here with many other links provided.

Mcjoan discusses it here.

House leadership has released this fact sheet on the key elements of the House healthcare reform bill that will begin in 2010 [pdf].

Among the most important of these front-loaded provision are the creation of the high risk pool, extension of COBRA benefits (which should also include some sort of subsidy program, since COBRA rates are often unaffordable, though select groups do receive assistance under the Recovery Act), upping the age that people can be covered by their parents' plans, and the increased funding for Community Health Centers are all very good starts for 2010. The most key for staunching the bleeding in our system, if you will, are the high risk pool and the Community Health Center funding. More of the uninsured will be able to get insurance through the pool and the CHCs, which are absolutely critical to providing care for the uninsured, will at least see some increased ability to do so.

A handful of the reforms will immediately address issues for Medicare beneficiaries, all solid reforms that should also provide some political help in 2010--seniors vote.

Looks like the Blue Dogs won a victory in this bill, but they wanted to kill the public option all together. And remember when the media said the public option was dead completely?

I'm on a conference call with Nancy Pelosi right now. At least she's coming on to discuss it with us for a few minutes. Many politicians would not.

Please leave your thoughts down below.

UPDATE: The House has not respected the PHarma deal cut by the White House and the Speaker is happy about that.